Rebels strengthened with key additions for bout with Knights

The Rebels travel to Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve to face ladder leaders Northern Knights in round four of TAC Cup Girls competition.

But coach Rhys Cahir was confident his squad at its best was good enough to beat any opposition.  

“We’ve improved every week, but the scoreboard probably didn’t show it against Geelong,” he said.

“Certainly last week’s game against Bendigo, they played well together, used the footy well, and each game they’ve got better and better.

“So we take a bit of confidence into this week even though the Northern Knights are on top and undefeated.”

The Rebels have made five changes to the line-up after defeating the Bendigo Pioneers by 33 points last week. 

Key additions to Tuesday’s squad include Rene Caris who returns from injury after representing Vic Country last year, while experienced midfielder Sophie Van De Heuvel comes in following cricket commitments.

“It’s a fair bit more experience,” Cahir said. 

“They’re both very good players so that should strengthen us up a little bit.”

Meanwhile, Rene’s younger sister Maggie Caris is set to make her debut.

The coach said some of the players to come out of the squad were interstate due to commitments with the AFL Goldfields Female Football tour of Tasmania, which runs from April 2 – 6.

There are also a number of the team’s youngest players selected in the youth girls futures squad, allowing for the 18 and 19-year-old players to come back into the side. 

“The way the system goes for the girls, we have a squad of 35 and we have to get as many games into everyone as possible, just to expose them,” Cahir said.

The key focuses for the Rebels against the Knights will be to stay competitive, use the football well and be prepared to work hard, while not allowing the opposition any easy kicks. 

“They’re always keen to get in and try new things,” Cahir said. 

“They’re just starting to put them into game situations now, so they’re adapting really well.”